If you have got skin peeling between the toes, then don’t fret, you are not alone. Skin peeling, including skin peeling between toes or on toes is a common problem that afflicts many people worldwide and often appears alongside other symptoms such as of blisters and itching. This article will look at some of the common causes of skin peeling between toes and highlight various treatment option that you can use to get rid this problem. If you are a fan of home remedies, then you will delight in the home remedies for skin peeling between toes section.

Why Is the Skin on My Toes Peeling – Why Is the Skin between My Toes Peeling

peeling toes

You are perhaps wondering, “Why is the skin on my toes peeling?” or “Why is the skin between my toes peeling?” In some instances, the skin between the toes simply peels off to allow new skin to regrow, but more severe cases of skin peeling between toes are caused by one or more of the following factors.

Athlete foot: Also referred to as tinea pedis, athlete foot is a very common is fungal infection of the feet. The fungus responsible for athlete foot grows best in warm moist environments and the chances of suffering from athlete foot often increase if you:

Environmental factor: drying environmental conditions are common culprits for skin peeling between the toes. For example, the low humidity experienced during winter months often robs the feet of their precious moisture and so does the hot temperatures in hot days.

Harsh cleansing routine: washing the feet with hot water can strip off the skin’s natural oils and moisture leading to dryness which can culminate in peeling skin.

Allergies: allergies can also trigger peeling skin between the toes. This can happen when someone walks barefoot thus exposing his feet to potential allergens/

Toe box dermatitis: some shoes come with rubber reinforcement on the toe area. Such rubber reinforcements traps in heat as well as moisture and can prevent the feet from breathing and cause an accumulation of sweat between the toes. This often causes peeling of the skin between the toes which may be accompanied by redness and inflammation.

Cellulitis: This is a bacterial infection that occurs if the skin breaks giving way for the normally harmless bacteria found on the skin to enter the body.

Trench foot: This refers to peeling of the skin as a result of prolonged exposure to cold damp conditions or warm moist conditions (e.g. after wearing gumboots for long). The skin can also get reddened, develop blisters and experience erythema.

Psoriasis can also cause peeling skin between the toes.

Home Remedies for Skin Peeling between Toes – Skin Peeling in Between Toes

Peeling skin between toes can be annoying especially if it is accompanied by itching. Here are several home remedies that you may want to use to get rid of that skin peeling in between toes: Exfoliate: The first home remedy for skin peeling between toes is skin exfoliation. Exfoliating the skin around the feet and in between the toes can help to eliminate the dry skin that may start peeling off later on. A mixture of Honey, olive oil and combined sea salt is a great option that not only exfoliates the skin but also moisturizes it.

Use Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is a superstar when it comes to home remedies if you will agree with me. In addition to all those other remedies that it could be mentioned for, apple cider vinegar can also help to get rid of skin peeling between toes. Simply dilute a little apple cider vinegar with water and soak your feet in the solution for 10 to 15 minutes. Oil massage: Coconut oil makes for a great remedy for peeling skin between the toes. Olive oil can as well be used. Simply apply some generous amount of coconut or olive oil onto the peeling areas of the toes twice or thrice daily and you will see it improve within no time.

Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties that are very helpful for peeling skin between the toes. Apply a generous amount of tea tree oil on your feet 2 times daily for best results.

Baking soda: After shower, dry your toes and then apply some baking soda in between them. This helps to keep the area between the toes dry.

Regular tea: If you didn’t know, the regular tea that you have always known as a beverage can help with that skin peeling in between toes. Prepare a strong tea by boiling 6 tea bags in a quart of water and then soak your feet in it for half an hour. Tea is rich in tannic acid, which has antifungal properties. These are just but a few of the home remedies for skin peeling between toes you should fine very helpful.

How to Treat Skin Peeling on Toes- Skin Peeling off Toes

Athlete foot is the most common culprit for skin peeling between the toes. Your first course of action when treating that peeling on toes is to apply an over the counter anti-fungal cream or powder 2 times a day or as otherwise directed by your pharmacist. Such anti-fungal products typically contain ingredients such as miconazole, tolnaftate, terbinafine or clotrimazole and are available under brand names such as Tinactin, Lamisil and Lotrimin among others. It is recommended that you use the antifungal cream or powder for 1 to 2 weeks after the peeling skin has cleared in order to ensure that the spores are completely cleared so that the infection doesn’t recur.

Dry Peeling Skin between Toes – Extra Helpful Tips

You might also want to observe the following tips for a more thorough treatment of dry peeling skin between toes:

Wash your feet with warm water and soap everyday and dry them properly especially in the area between the toes

Use clean cotton socks and change them everyday or as frequent as is needed to maintain dryness

Wear flip-flops or sandals when using a public shower

Wear leather shoes rather than plastic shoes and alternate them daily if possible

Consider investing in Steri-shoe, an ultraviolet light device that helps to sterilizes the inside of your shoes and thus get rid of fungi and bacteria

Itching between Toes and Peeling Off –when to see a Doctor

The above self care interventions will help you get rid of itching and peeling between the toes but if self-care doesn’t seem to clear the symptoms 2 to 4 weeks down the line then you should seek the advice of your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe some oral medications as well as a round of antibiotics to treat any bacterial infections as a result of scratching. You should see your doctor as soon as possible if the peeling and itching between your toes is accompanied by swelling in the feet or any sign of infection such as fever, drainage and pus. You should also see your doctor right away if you have diabetes and the area between your toes has started itching and peeling off.

Dry Flaky Skin between Toes

Someone asked the other day, “What can I do to heal dry flaky skin between toes?” the solution lies in moisturizing the area between the toes (Vaseline jelly can help) and avoiding the use of harsh soaps and hot water when washing your feet (instead use warm water).